Legislation Proposed in Georgia Threatens Decades of Efforts Advocating for Judicial Integrity - Critics Assert
Georgia's Government's Push for New Foreign Agents Law Sparks Outrage Among Civil Society Organizations
The Georgian parliament, governed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is on the brink of passing a bill that could severely impact domestic organizations and media outlets receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources. If passed, these entities would be required to register as "foreign agents," a move feared to stifle authentic dissent and dissolve the region's vibrant civil society.
Informal conversations with representatives of various organizations, including human rights advocates, the disabled community, and independent news outlets like Kvemo Kartli Media, reveal a shared anxiety over the bill's potential consequences. The bill's subtle resemblance to Russian legislation following the introduction of similar wording has non-profit sector members worried about government pressure and potential suppression.
"Our government seems indifferent to international pressure and opinions," lamented Vladimer Mkervalishvili, director of Rights Georgia, an organization dedicated to protecting individual rights since 1997 [1][2]. Mkervalishvili is concerned that such legislation would mar Georgia's already fragile efforts to join the European Union [2].
The proposed bill requires organizations receiving annual funding mainly from foreign private or governmental entities to register within a list of foreign agents [1]. If enacted, this registration could provide ammunition for the government to repress independent activities aiming for transparency, social services, and an independent press—activities that have historically been nurturably supported by Western governmental agencies and large donor organizations [3].
In March 2023, Georgian Dream initially introduced this bill but retreated after widespread protests [2]. Reintroduced in April 2023 with minimal alterations, it marks a return to what Kvemo Kartli Media's head, Manon Bokucava, calls a "nightmare" [2].
"This could be the end of my journalistic career in Georgia," Bokucava remarked [2]. Kvemo Kartli Media has published hard-hitting news, primarily in the region with a significant Azeri minority, and has received over 20% of its funding from European grant-making institutions [2]. If labeled as agents of foreign influence, as required by the bill, the organization may risk jeopardizing its reputation for journalistic independence, prompting them to consider shutting down [2].
Over a hundred civil society organizations have signed a petition declaring their refusal to comply with the dreaded foreign agent registry, risking ceasing operations quickly once the law comes into effect [2].
If an organization chooses not to comply, daily fines of up to $9,400 could plunge them into financial ruin within just a couple of months [3]. Georgia is thought to have between 1,200 and 2,300 civil society organizations, many of which rely on foreign funding [3].
In opposition to the foreign agents bill, the Batumi Independent Living Center, a non-profit organization focusing on empowering the disabled community, is among those that have raised their voice [3]. Director of the center's board, Ramini Matcharashvili, believes his organization may not be the bill's intended targets, but they could still feel repercussions if they criticize the state's inefficiencies in addressing disability rights [3].
Groups focusing on protecting individual rights and promoting the rule of law also anticipate feeling strangled by the foreign agents legislation. "It will be impossible to continue working," Mkervalishvili stated [3]. His organization, Rights Georgia, is known for amassing evidence related to human rights abuses during Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia.
These days, Rights Georgia is primarily concentrating on domestic and gender-based violence cases, addressing a neglectful gap in state-run legal protection mechanisms [3]. However, their ongoing efforts are now hanging by a thread due to their decision not to comply with the registry, fearing that the authorities seizing their confidential files could significantly compromise their work [3].
As of May 2025, protests against the foreign agents bill have been ongoing for weeks in Tbilisi. Citizens have demonstrated outside of parliament, appealing for the government to reconsider their decision [3]. Although Georgian Dream has announced a pro-law rally for April 29 to follow the second of the three readings necessary before the bill can be enacted, some remain hopeful that the ongoing protests may spur a shift in the government's stance [3].
References:[1] https://www.eurasianet.org/georgia-walks-back-plans-for-foreign-agents-law[2] https://www.eurasianet.org/sidelined-in-georgia-groups-fight-against-foreign-agents-law[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Agents_Registration_Act_(Georgia)[4] https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/georgia_en[5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/georgia-moves-toward-new-foreign-agents-law-irks-west-2021-12-01/
- The shared opinion among civil society organizations, including human rights advocates, independent news outlets, and organizations dedicated to protecting individual rights, is that the proposed foreign agents law in Georgia could stifle authentic dissent and dissolve the region's vibrant civil society, potentially compromising career prospects for journalists and leading to the closure of numerous organizations.
- The news of the Georgian parliament's push for the foreign agents law has sparked general concern in policy-and-legislation and politics circles, with many believing that the controversial bill, if enacted, could have a profound impact on the country's culture and international relations, particularly in terms of joining the European Union and maintaining a free press.
- The proposed foreign agents law, with its resemblance to Russian legislation, is seen as a threat to the autonomy of domestic organizations and media outlets that receive foreign funding, raising questions about the Georgian government's commitment to democratic principles and free, diverse civil society.
